“It is head and shoulders above the class of books which are commonly called ‘best-sellers,’ it makes a genuine appeal to the intelligence as well as the emotions, and we do not doubt for an instant that it was inspired by the author’s love of writing for writing’s sake.” K. M.
+ − Ath p831 Je 25 ’20 700w
“The novel can stand without difficulty upon its own merits. This does not mean that it lacks entirely certain earmarks of the beginner. It has on the other hand much that more than makes up for a stiffness of movement which betokens the amateur. Miss Carswell will undoubtedly handle her material more easily in the future but it is questionable whether she will be able at that time to bring to a book the freshness of interest and unconventionality of phrase which attracts us strongly here.” D. L. M.
+ Boston Transcript p6 Jl 17 ’20 550w
“She does not succeed, perhaps, in drawing merely a normal woman normally, but with great competence she portrays a slightly neurotic heroine of somewhat unusually varied experience, understandingly and with conviction. It is in the conventional happy ending alone that the story fails. In its penetration to the secret springs of character and conduct, in its visualization of persons and interrelated groups, in its mastery of line and its sureness of phrase, this is no amateur effort but a first novel of some moment, provocative of thought and expectation.” H. S. H.
+ Freeman 1:598 S 1 ’20 900w
“Joanna and her story remain vivid and delightful and have a touch of epic breadth and richness.” Ludwig Lewisohn
+ Nation 111:134 Jl 31 ’20 170w
“Sex interests without haunting or obsessing or torturing her. Miss Carswell is in the happy position of one who is naturally frank and naturally decent. Her decency and her frankness are not at war. ‘Open the door’ is quite sure to fasten many readers’ eyes upon Miss Carswell. She can do love and landscape and character. It is more than a remarkable first novel. It is a remarkable novel.” Silas
+ − New Repub 23:258 Jl 28 ’20 1000w N Y Times 25:23 Jl 11 ’20 650w